Handle construction



R. R. BORGFELDT 2,782,974

HANDLE CONSTRUCTION Feb. 26, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 5, 1956 IQ@ WHW@ l WM, e,

Feb. 26, 1957 R. R. BORGFELDT HANDLE CONSTRUCTION y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 195e nitecl States Patent HANDLE CONSTRUCTION Robert R. Borgfeldt, Chicago, Ill.

Application March 5, 1956, Serial No. 569,385

2 Claims. (Cl. 224-45) This invention 'relates to a handle construction and, more particularly, to a handle adapted to facilitate carrying a plurality of hangered garments or the like.

The discomfort and awkWar-dness experienced in carrying such garments without causing the latter to be folded over the arm of the carrier are Well known. `Various handles, which might be adapted for use in rectifying this p-roblem, have heretofore been proposed. Such handles, however, are possessed of one or more shortcomings, such as being of costly construction and thereby not being suitable, in many instances, to be given away gratuitously by the merchant; of bulky construction and not comfortable to be gripped by the hand of the carrier; and/or of such construction as not to be attractive or provide suitable space for advertising and the like.

Thus, it is one of the objects of this invention to provide a handle construction which overcomes the aforementioned shortcomings.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a handle which may be readily formed from inexpensive, thin-gauge sheet metal and yet is capable of carrying relatively heavy loads.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a handle which is compact and attractive in appearance and facilitates carrying of numerous hangered garments without yadversely effecting the finished and pressed appearance of such garments.

-Further and additional objects will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a handle formed of relatively thin-gauge sheet material is provided which comprises a base portion adapted to be accommodated by an object to be carried, such as a hangered garment, and a hand-gripping portion formed integral therewith. The hand-gripping portion includes a bail section having the relatively spaced end segments thereof integrally connected to the base portion'and cooperating therewith to form a handhole, and a flap section foldably connected to the central portion of said bail section and adapted, when in unfolded relation, to be disposed within said handhole. The flap section, when in folded relation, extends angularly from the bail section and forms an elongated linger-contacting segment having a Width substantially vgreater than twice the thickness of the sheet material from which the handle is formed. The surface of the ap section, whichis disposed adjacent the base portion, when the flap section is in folded relation, is of a convex configuration and, thus, is comfortably accommodated by the hand of the carrier.

Fig. 1,-is a plan view of one form of the improved handle in an unfolded condition; i

Fig. 2is a plan View of the improved hand-le shown in Fig'. l but in a folded condition; y

Fig. 3 is a plan view of an insert adapted for use with the improved handle shown in Fig. l; f

Fig. 4 isa perspective view of the improved handle shown in Fig. 2 with the insert showndisposed therein;l

Fig. 5 is .a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of Fig- 2:

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a second form of improved handle construction shown in an unfolded condition;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a third form of `the improved handle; and

Fig. S is a perspective view of still another form of the improved handle.

Referring now to the 'drawings' and, more particularly, to Fig. 4, an improved handle construction 10 is shown which is adapted, in this instance, to simultaneously carry vby suspension a plurality 4of hangered garments 11 or the like without requiring the garments to be folded over the arm of the person carrying the same. The improved handle construction 1t) as shown in Fig. l is preferably formed from a blank 12 of relatively thin-gauge, stiff, inexpensive sheet material, `such as cardboard. Handle 10 comprises a center section 13, wing sections 14 and 15 foldably connected to center section 13 on opposite edges thereof, and a bottom section 16 lfoldably connected to the lower edge of center .section 13.

Center section 13, in this instance, is of substantially rectangular configuration and has the lower or `base portion 13a thereof provided with ya plurality of apertures 17 arranged in relatively spaced linear relation. The apertures 17, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, are adapted to accommodate the hooks 11a of the hangers on which the garments are placed. Center section 13 is .also provided with an upper or bail portion 13b which has the relatively spaced end segments thereof integrally connected to base portion 13a. Base and bail portions 13a and 13b cooperate with one another to form a handhole 18, through which the lingers of the carrier exten-d. Foldably connected to bail portion 13b a-nd intermediate the end segments thereof is a ap 20 which, when in unfolded relation, is disposed within handhole 18 and is substantially coplanar with the remainder of said center section. Peripheral notches 27 are formed in flap Ztl and .are adapted to function in a manner, to be hereinafter described, when the flap is in folded condition.

Wing sections 14 and 15, in this instance, are of like configuration with but one exception, which will become apparent hereinafter. Each section comprises .a center cut-out portion Z1, the shape of which conforms substantially to one-half the shape of the handhole `so that when the wing sections are folded over center ysection 13, the

cut-out portions 21 of sections 14 and 15 delimit an area l of the same shape .as handhole 18. The lower portion or leg 22 of each wing section 14 and 15 is provided with a plurality of relatively spaced apertures 25 which are adapted to be disposed in coincident relation With corresponding apertures 17 formed in center section 13 when the handle is in folded condition as shown lin Fig. 4. It will be noted that the legs 22 and 22a of wing section 14 are provided with a pair of peripheral notches 23a and 23b, respectively, which open in an upward direction and are adapted to cooperate with downwardly directed not-ches 24a and 2411 formed in legs 22 and 22a, respectively, of wing section 15 and lock the wing sections 14 and 15 in folded relation with respect to center section 13.

Prior to folding wing `sections 14 and 15 `into locked position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the bottom Isection 16 is first folded upwardly into position with respect to center section 13. Bottom section 16, in this instance, is provided with the same number of apertures 26 as there are apertures 17 on center section13. Apertures 26 and 17 are coincident with one another when sections 13 and 16 are in folded relation with respect to one another.

While the handle construction, shown in Fig. 2, is formed of an inexpensive thin-gauge, relatively stiff sheet material which is capable of supporting the normal load of a plurality of hangered garments, certaininstances l .ef/sacra might arise wherein additional stiffness and strength of the handle is desired. To fulfill these requirements a thin metal insert 28 is provided, see Fig. 3, which is adapted to ber positioned into overlying relation with respe'ct to center section 13 prior to the blank 12 beingVV folded to the position shown in Fig.V 4. Insert 28as shown in Fig. 3, is substantially the same configuration as center section 13 with the exception of the flap 20 being omitted and, thus, is enveloped by cen-ter section 13 and folded sections 14-16.

Flap 20, as heretofore described, has provided on the periphery thereof a pair of opposite notches 27 which are adaptedto accommodate portions of the center secltion 13 and wing sect-ions 14 and 15 which are circumjacent the handhole 18 and cutouts 21, respectively, when t'he'blank 12 is in folded condition as seen in Fig. 4. The notches 27 serve to retain the wing sections in folded relation with respect to center section 13 and to also maintain the flap in a folded condition.

It should be noted that, when the fiap 2t) is in its folded position,as shown in Fig. 4, a relatively wide convex-shaped undersurface 20a is formed which has a width greatly in excess of twice the thickness of the sheet material from which the handle is fabricated. Thus, by reason of the configuration of the convex undersurface 2da of the flap, the handle may be comfortably gripped by the fingers of a person and thereby facilitate carrying relatively heavy loads suspended from the'handle for prolonged periods of time without the person experiencing discomfort from the handle. To insureconvexity to surface 20a, the latter surface may be provided with a plurality of substantially parallel, relatively spaced score lines 2%, see Fig; 4;

A modified form of improved handle 29 is` shown in Fig. 6 which is preferably formed from a blank of relativelythin-gauge, stiff, inexpensive sheet material similar -to that of blank 12. Handle 29 has a base section 30' which is substantially the same configuration as center section 13 of the blank 12 except that an elongated slot 31 is formed adjacent the upper edge of the section. line of fold 31 formed along the upper edge of flap 20'. Foldably connected to one side of section 30 is a side section 32 which is of the same configuration as section 30, except that flap 20 has been omitted. Foldably connected to -the lower edge of section 30 is a bottom section 373 which is substantially the same configuration as section 30, except that ap 20 has been omitted and a struck-out tongue 34 has been formed along the bottom edge 35 which, when the sections 3E), 32,

so vas to prevent accidental disengagement of the tongue A from the slots. if desired, after the blank has been folded and tongue 34'inserted through slots 31, the side edge 33a of section 33 may be stapled or otherwise se curedto sections 30 and 32.

A third form 37 of improved handle is shown in Fig. 7 which, in this instance, is formed from relatively stiff sheet metal material. The body of the handle 38 is provided with a handhole 46 and a rigid flap 41 extending angularly outwardly from the upper portion of the body in a manner as shown. It will be noted that flap 41 has the underside thereof rounded or convex so as to comfortably engage the fingers of the carrier which are insertedthrough handholeV 4d. A plurality of relatively spaced openingsV 42 are formed in the portion'of the body which'subtends the fiapfii.' 'The function'A of openingsdzis the same as rthat previously discussed with respectV to openings 17 of blank 12. Handle `3'7 isV shown lprovided with a hook 43 which is pivotally con-V nected'at `point 44 to the upper portion-of body The hook43 enablesthe handle withhangered garments Slot 31 is disposed substantially parallel to the Lil) suspended therefrom to be suitably stored on a support ing bar or peg.

Another modified form 4S of the improved handle is shown in Fig. 8, which is formed from a blank similar to that shown in Fig. 1. The center section 46 of handle 4S is similar in configuration to that shown for the center section 30 of handle 29. Foldably connected to opposite sides of center section 46 are relatively narrow wing sections 47 and 48. An elongated bottom section Si? is foldably connected to the lower edge of conter section 46 and is of substantially the same configuration as bottom section 16 shown in Fig. l. Section Si! is provided with a plurality of apertures 5,1 which are coincident to like apertures 52 formed in center section 46 when the'blankis in folded condition. In folding the blank to form handle 45, the bottom section is first folded over center section 46 and then the wing sections 47 and 48 are folded over center section 46 and are held in folded relation therewith by means of adhesive or staples 53 or any other suitable fastening devices. The flap S4 which is foldably connected to center section 46 along fold line 55 is provided with a struckout finger or tongue 56 along its free edge, which is adapted to protrude through an elongated slot 57 formed in center section 46 when the flap is folded. Tongue 56 is adapted to retain the flap in folded condition. The tongue 56 and slot 57 may be omitted if desired.

Thus, it will kbe seen that an improved handle has been provided which is formed of thin-gauge, relatively stiff, inexpensive, sheet material and which is capable of simultaneously carrying a plurality of hangered garments without causing' discomfort to the person carrying such a device or without adversely affectingthe pressed finished appearance of such garments. By reason of the simple configuration' of the handle and the inexpensive material from which it may be readily formed, the handle provides an attractive medium for a merchant, particularly one engaged in the drycleaning business, to advertise his business.

While several embodiments of this invention are shown above, it will be understood, of course, that thelinvention is not to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, .and it is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims, to cover any such modifica-tions as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

l. A handle for use in carrying an object depending therefrom, said handle comprising ablank of relatively thin, stiff sheet material,V said blank including aV first portion having a handhole formed therein and a plurality of relatively spaced object-accommodating vapertures spaced to one side of saidhandhole, a fiap section foldably connected to said first portion on the opposite` side ofv said'handhole, and a second portion foldably connected to said first portion and provided with a handhole and a plurality of object-accommodating apertures which register with the corresponding handhole and apertures in said first portion, when said portions are in folded relation with respect to one another; the flap section in said first portion, when in folded relation'with respect thereto, subsequent to folding of said first and second portions, having a portion thereof projecting -through the handhole in said second portion to form an 2; A handleifor use in'carrying an object' depleiiding therefrom, said handle comprising a blank of relatively thin, stiffsheet material, said blank including a central portion provided withl an elongated handhole'extending' thereacross, andA a plurality of relativelyvspaced apertures" extending' across the lower section of said central portion' and in spaced relation with respect to the underside of said handhole, a ap section disposed within said handhole and foldably connected to the uper section of said central portion and adapted, when in folded relation, to form an elongated, finger-contacting segment having a width substantially greater than twice the thickness of the sheet material, a bottom portion foldably connected to the lower marginal section of said central portion, and a pair of apertured side portions foldably connected to the opposite marginal side sections of said central portion; said side portions, when in folded relation, overlying one surface of said central portion and encompassing the handhole formed in said central portion 6 and having apertures of said side portions in registered relation with corresponding apertures in said central portion, said side portions having complemental sections adapted to interlock with one another and retain said side, bottom, and central portions in folded relation.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,695,568 Wolf Dec. 18, 1928 1,815,673 Kelly July 21, 1931 2,458,883 Trogman Ian. 11, 1949 

